Indian Crescent Society of Australia Incorporated (ICSOA) launch and reception for Dr Nakadar at Himalaya restaurant. Mr. Abbas Raza Alvi on the podium, Dr Nakadar third from (L).

SYDNEY, Australia–Muslims of Indian origin came together at a banquet hall in Granville, in honor of Dr. A. S. Nakadar who was invited by the community members to form and launch a similar organization as American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin (AFMI) that he founded in 1989 in USA.

Businessman, Abbas Raza Alvi, Lecturer in Paediatrics, Sydney University, Dr. Habib Bhurawala and Attorney Siddik Panwala announced the formation of Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA). The former being an independent organization, but one that would work in association with organizations with similar objectives, especially AFMI.

ICSOA will provide a platform for the collective Indian Muslim voice in Australia and work for the educational elevation and welfare of downtrodden, especially for Muslims in India.

More than 250 Australians of Indian origin attended the event, while the invited guests included MP for Granville, Ms. Julie Finn, Chairman Ethnic Community Council of NSW Mr. Peter Doukas, and Vice Consul of India Mr. Rajeev Kumar, amongst others.

In his remarks, Dr. Nakadar out lined various causes of illiteracy and poverty. But the primary reason he said, apart from ignorance, arrogance, and social taboos, the root of all evils is, “the vicious circle of poverty and illiteracy … because if you are poor, you are unable to send your child to school, and hence he remains illiterate and because he is illiterate he remains in poverty.” The only way to break this cycle is to educate the child. Give a child a quality education and one will remove the burden of poverty for generations to come. He cited examples of children whose families were hand to mouth and how they now live a dignified and respectable life helping other destitute children for educational empowerment.

“One person can change the world for good, let that person be inspired by your organization or let it be you,” he said.

Meeting at parliament, NSW-Australia: Photo with Australian MP’s and community members. Mr. Jihad Dibb, shadow education minister is in the centre, (1st row) 7th from (L) Dr. Nakadar on his (R) and Mr. Ali Quraishi on his (L).

Mr. Jihad Dibb, shadow education minister of NSW-Australiam invited Dr. Nakadar to a private reception at the NSW parliament. Restricted numbers of about 30 community members were allowed for the reception.

MP Mr. J Dibb personally took the dignitaries on tour of the parliament and showed them the detail of its functioning. In his welcome speech at the private reception, Mr J Dibb appreciated Dr. Nakadar for his dedicated work, especially in the field of education. He was a school principal himself before he got involved in politics and appreciated his work and what it means to the community.

Dr. Nakadar in his remark advised Indian Australians to integrate in the society and in country’s fabric. He said, “No matter in what field you are in, your work, your contributions and your ethics should inspire others to the extent that you are boon to the country rather than a burden.”

Speaking on presidential elections in USA he said: “Mr. Trump is not going to win and in case if he wins, Muslims in America are not concerned.” He gave detailed statistics of education among Muslims, their political and involvement in military. He cited their social and humanitarian services, and above all their income level is $5000 more than their average American compatriots. He said, “Who would dare to alienate a community that is contributing so much to the society and the nation?”

“I assure you,” he continued: “It will be Mr. Trump and his policy that will have to change and not the Muslims in USA.”

Their meeting was followed by lunch. It was for the first time in the history of NSW parliament that Muslims offered the afternoon ritual prayer in the parliament’s reception hall.